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🇺🇸 Cost of Living in New York

One city deep-dive — more coming as we expand

We currently track 1 city in New York. Numbers are real but may not represent the full state — we're expanding coverage.

Median monthly budget · single · city center

$5,504/mo

Across 1 city we track

Couple

$6,454

Family of 4

$19,188

Median local salary (after tax)$5,185/mo

State income tax — the silent budget killer

Has income tax3.9–10.9% progressive

On a $100k salary, state income tax alone can mean $0 to $13,000+ difference. This matters more than the price of milk.

City-by-city damage report

Rent — the biggest line item

City1BR center1BR outside3BR center
New York$4,281$2,861$9,425

Source: Numbeo. Prices in USD.

Grocery prices — the supermarket reality check

Median across 1 city

Milk (1L)$1.31
Bread (loaf)$4.63
Eggs (12)$6.15
Rice (1kg)$7.73
Chicken (1kg)$15
Apples (1kg)$6.98
Tomatoes (1kg)$6.41
Potatoes (1kg)$3.24
Water (1.5L)$2.59
Wine (mid-range)$20
Beer (0.5L store)$3.38

Eating out — because you won't cook every night

Median prices across 1 city

Cheap meal$25
Mid-range dinner for 2$140
Cappuccino$5.70
Beer (draught)$8.00
Coke (0.33L)$3.28

Getting around — or trying to

Median prices across 1 city

Monthly pass$133
Single ride$3.00
Gasoline (1L)$0.91

New York vs. the competition

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in New York?

Across 1 city, a single person spends a median of $5,504/month including rent. New York is the cheapest at $5,504/mo.

What is the average rent in New York?

Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $4,281/month across 1 city we track.

Does New York have a state income tax?

New York state income tax: 3.9–10.9% progressive. This significantly affects take-home pay — a $100k salary looks very different in a no-tax state vs. California.

What is the average salary in New York?

The median monthly net salary (after tax) across 1 city is about $5,185, based on Numbeo data.

Cost data sourced from Numbeo. Updated periodically.